Label printing machine with web pre-moistener



June 13, 1967 WATSQN ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PREMOISTENFIR 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8, 1965 1 A; fl] wmsow MAX E. HERBERT EGERER June 13, 1967 Filed Feb. 8, 1965 M. E. \NATSON ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING-MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER 9 Sheets-$heet T g Q J m/vmrms 3 MAX E WATSON HERBFRT EGERER LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENEH Filed Feb. 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet I3 FIG. 3

INVENTORS 5% MAX E WATSON HERBERT EGERER Q YJQ/ MK June 13, 1967 M. E. WATSON ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER Filed Feb. 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4

I'fl/VEIVTOFFS MAX E. WATSGN HERBERT EGERER June 13, 1967 M. E. WATSON ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 8, 1965 INVENTORS MAX 5 WATSON HERBERT EGERER v: -Ywm 5 mm l mm R av m m g m9 m @W mm mm June 13, 1967 M. E. WATSON ET AL. 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRFJ'MOISTENEP Filed Feb. 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 FIG. 7

INVENTO/RS MAX E SON HERBERT EGERER June 13, 1967 M. E. WATSQN ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOTSTENRR Filed Feb. 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 CO (\I a Q 2 N INVENTORS MAX E WA SON HERBERT EGERER M. E. WATSON ET AL 3,324,792

June 13, 1967 LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Feb. 8, 1965 V INVENTORS MAX E WATSON HERBERT EGERER June 13, 1967 w -rso ET AL 3,324,792

LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER Filed Feb. 8, 1965 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 l/VVE/VTO/RS' MA X E. WATSON HERBERT EGERER 8) \IIITIIJ Aw ON mm]! mm w i .n mm 8 United States Patent M 3,324,792 LABEL PRINTING MACHINE WITH WEB PRE-MOISTENER Max E. Watson, 6418 Country Squire Lane, Omaha, Nebr. 68152, and Herbert Egerer, Omaha, Nebr.; said Egerer assignor to said Watson Filed Feb. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 430,980 6 Claims. (Cl. 101132.5)

This invention relates generally to a duplicating machine, and particularly to a machine for printing indicia from a master duplication sheet, carrying a carbonized minor negative, onto each blank on a continuous web of blanks.

The machine is comprised generally of a frame for holding a roll of a continuous web of blanks, which web is fed past a moistening unit where a carbon solvent is applied to the face of the web. The web is then fed between a pair of cooperable rollers, one of which has a master duplication sheet, hereinafter termed a master negative, secured thereto. The master negative bears indicia on the face thereof composed of a reproduction medium, such as carbon. Upon rotation of the master negative holding roller, the master negative is impressed against a blank on the web so as to print thereon.

This action performs a dual function in that as the impression is made, the Web is also pulled along due to the rotation of the two rollers with the web therebetween. The arrangement is such that the web is moved only when a blank is imprintingly engaged by the negative on the one roll, and is thus stationary during the remaining rotation of the negative holding roller. To ensure that the web is properly indexed with the roller so that when the negative again engages the web it printingly engages a blank, a web locking unit is provided which is operated in response to rotation of the master negative.

The web of this invention preferably has at least one edge perforated so that the web locking unit'can sequentially engage a perforation at the appropriate interval of time and position of components. Also in response to rotation of the master negative roller, the moistening unit is operable to sequentially engage the web with a solvent carrying roller, and to disengage the roller from the web after each blank has been moistened. This advantageous feature is further enhanced in value by the moistening unit additionally effecting a sequential separation of the solvent applying roller from a wick supplying the solvent to the roller, said separation occurring after each application of the roller to the web.

Another feature of the invention which will be clearly discernible hereinafter is the capability of the moistening unit being easily movable, without effecting the other components, to moisten a non-printed blank just prior to its being impressed by the master negative. Thus, even though the machine has not operated for a time interval sufficient for the solvent to dry and lose its effectiveness on any blanks between the moistening unit and the impression rollers, manipulation of the moistening unit mechanism re-rnoistens the one or more dry blanks, and renders them useable. This arrangement, plus a transverse'tear line formed in the web between each blank prevents the loss of a single blank due to starting and stopping the-machine.

It is, then, an object of this invention to provide an improved liquid duplicating type printing machine.

It is another object of this invention to provide a printing machine of this type wherein a printing roller effects an impression on a blank of a web of blanks or the like, simultaneously with frictionally pulling the web along to move another blank into place for the next impression.

Another object of this invention is to provide a printing machine of this type wherein the web is maintained sta- 3,324,792 Patented June 13, 1967 tionary and in a registered position relative to the printing roller during a predetermined interval of rotation of the printing roller.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a printing machine of the type defined herein, wherein all blanks on the web are used irrespective of the starting and stopping of the machine.

Yet another object of this invention is the provision of a moistening unit including a roller for engaging the web, and a wick for supplying a carbon solvent to the roller, wherein the unit is capable of independent moistening of any web blanks between the unit and the printing roller, and is also capable of coaction with the other machine components to effectively moisten all blanks prior to their being imprinted by the printing roller.

Another object of this invention is the provision of automatically separating the solvent applying roller from the web whenever the web is stationary to prevent an excessive application of solvent, and furthermore as important a separation of the wick from the roller during the same web condition to ensure an absence of dripping of solvent from the roller onto the web.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a moistening unit wherein the quantity of solvent available directly at the wick is quickly and easily discernible to the eye.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a printing machine of the type characterized herein, and capable of attaining the objects listed hereinbefore which is economical to manufacture, simple and rugged in construction, and effective in operation.

These objects, and other features and advantages of this invention will become readily apparent upon reference to the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 7

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the printing machine of this invention, with the near sidewall shown by the use of dotted lines except where its outline coincides with a far side wall;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printing machine;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken from the side opposite the view of FIG. 1, and again with the near side wall in dotted lines;

FIG. 4 in an elevational view of the rear of the machine;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the front of the machine;

FIG. 6 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken along the line 6-6 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal, vertical sectional view taken along the offset line 77 in FIG. 2, and showing the position of certain components of the machine in a nonactuated condition;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of the front of the machine taken along the line 8-8 in FIG. 2, and showing a changed position of the components when the moistening unit has been manually manipulated;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing another changed position of the same components during rotation of the printing roller;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the moistening unit of the printing machine;

FIG. 11 is an exploded, perspective view of the same unit;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 1212 in FIG. 2 of the Web locking unit;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken along the line 1313 in FIG. 2, and showing a portion of the parallel linkage for the moistening unit;

FIG. 14 is a full scale, plan view of a portion of the web of label-type blanks used in the machine; and

FIGS. 15 and 16 are enlarged, fragmentary, sectional views of the web as viewed along the lines 15-15 and 16-16, respectively, in FIG. 14.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of the duplicating machine of this invention is indicated at 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and on which a roll 21 of a continuous web 22 (FIGS. 7 and 14) of blanks is mounted for receiving the indicia to be printed thereon.

The web 22 of blanks (FIG. 14) may be of any desired form which has been pre-cut to conform to the desired end use. The particular web 22 used herein includes longitudinally spaced edge perforations 23 and tear or perforation lines 24 separating the actual blanks 26 for receiving the printing. As will be seen hereinafter, the blank 26, shown in full scale, could be of any smaller size or shape, and could be a plurality of smaller, separate blanks of a predetermined, arbitrary size and shape.

The physical makeup of the web 22 (FIGS. 15 and 16) comprises a paper stock material 27 bonded by a gum adhesive 28 or the like to an oil-type paper 29. Each blank 26 is defined by a line cut 31, whereby after the printing operation, not only may the web 22 be separated at the tear lines 24, but each blank 26 may readily be removed from the stock material 27 surrounding it.

The machine 20 comprises basically the following units illustrated generally as indicated: a frame 32 (FIG. 2); a printing roller 33 to which the duplication sheet or master negative 34 is applied; a backing impression roller 36 biased toward the printing roller 33 and between which the web 22 (FIG. 7) is inserted for longitudinal movement; a handle 37 for rotating the printing roller 33; a

parallel linkage unit 38 operable in response to actuation of the handle 37; a web moistening unit 39 moveably mounted on the linkage unit 38 for sequentially applying a solvent to the face of the web 22; and a web locking unit 41 for maintaining the web 22 stationary at sequential, pre-selected periods of rotation of the printing roller 33.

More particularly as to the structure, the frame 32 comprises an open U-shaped affair, including a flat, rectangular base 43 (FIG. 6) and a pair of upstanding, parallel sides 44 and 46 mounted on the outer, longitudinal edges of the base. The rear end portions 47 of the sides are curvedly extended beyond the end of the base to support a dumbbell-type spindle 48 on which is rotatably mounted the web roll 21. A locking device 50 (FIG. 1) is provided for maintaining the spindle 48 in place. Spacers 48' and 48" keep the web roll 21 centered between the parallel sides 44 and 46.

Included with the frame is a web guide table 49 (FIG. 7) of a width less than the distance between the sides 44 and 46. The table 49, of thin sheet stock, is secured at its rear end 51 to the base 43, extends upwardly below and toward the moistening unit 39, is bent at 55 on a level tangential with the backing roller 36, and extends normally horizontally toward the front of the machine 10. A pair of flanges 52 and 53 (FIG. 13) of the table are secured to the side 46, and a flange 54 integral with the table 49 is secured to the side 44 (FIG. 8), all for supporting the table 49.

The web 22 is trained below an idler spindle 56 (FIG. 7) rotatably mounted on a shaft 57 extended transversely between the sides, and is guided by a pair of circular flanges 58 and 59 (FIG. 2) integral with the spindle 56. The web 22 is then trained over and lays flat against the table 49 (FIG. 7), being guided againso as to be centered directly between the rollers 33 and 36, by a pair of guide devices 61 and 62 (FIGS. 2 and It will be noted that a portion of the table 49 is cut away at 63 (FIG. 7) directly over the backing roller 36 so that the web 22 at that location is suspended over and engaged with the circumferential surface of the backing roller 36.

The printing roller 33 (FIGS. 2, 6 and 7) is substantially cylindrical and secured for rotation on a shaft 66 rotatably journaled in the frame sides 44 and 46, which shaft 66 is a part of the handle unit 37. The printing roller 33 has a transversely complete, circumferentially contiguous segment 67 (FIG. 7) for receiving the master negative 34, the arcuately spaced ends 68 and 69 of which are securely held by clamping devices.

One device comprises a wing-type spring 71 rockably held by a pin 72 tangentially in place, and with one wing 73 biased against a negative end 69 due to the other wing 74 biased away from the roller 33 by a spring 76. The other clamping device includes a flange 77 (FIG. 7) pivotally connected by a pin 78 to a pair of cars 79 (FIG. 2) integral with the roller 33. The flange 77 has a lip 81 engageable with the underside of a shoulder 82 of the roller 33, and spring 83 is provided for biasing the flange 77 about its pin 78 and upwardly and outwardly against the shoulder 82, thereby holding the other negative end 68.

The arrangement of the printing roller 33 is such that the segment 67 has the greatest radius whereas the radii of the remainder of the roller including the clamping devices, is less than that of the constant radius segment 67. Furthermore, the radius of the master negative-holding segment 67 is such that it frictionally engages, upon rotation, the backing roller 36, and the web 22 if inserted therebetween. Conversely, when the master negative-holding segment 67 is not being rotated against the backing roller 36, no frictional engagement is had between the printing roller 33 and the backing roller 36, and the web 22-if present-is not engaged, but remains stationary.

It should be noted herein that the master negative 34 is prepared by inserting a carbonized paper underneath the master negative, and typing or writing on the face of the master negative. The indicia impressions formed thereby on the face will have the mirror image thereof formed on the opposite side. The original face of the master negative is therefore placed against the printing roller segment surface, with the carbon indicia-carrying side of the master negative exposed for engagement with the previously carbon-solvent moistened web 22.

The backing roller 36 (FIG. 3) is mounted on a shaft 86 journaled at each end in a respective rocker arm 87 and 88 (FIG. 2), with the rocker arms rotatably connected at their rear ends (toward the Web roll 21) to a transverse rod 89 secured in the sides 44 and 46 of the frame. The forward ends of the rocker arms 87 and 88 (FIG. 5) rest on the lateral ends of a biasing plate 90 disposed at its center below the upper lip 91 (FIG. 7) of an S-shaped support 92. The support 92 is secured to the frame base 43.

The plate 90 is biased upwardly against the downward tendency of the rocker arms 87 and 88 by a coil spring 93 and a frame base-supported threaded stem unit 94. By rotating the threaded stem unit 94, the pressure in the coil spring 93 can be increased, thus increasing the pressure between the printing roller 33 and the impression roller 36. The upward limit of the plate 90 is provided for by the support lip 92; however, the limit can be varied. An allen screw 96 (FIG. 5) is inserted into a threaded bore provided therefor in the lip 92, which screw 96 can be rotated from above the lip for engagement therebelow with the center of the plate 90. Referring to FIG. 2, a hole 97 is shown formed in the table 49 for gaining easy overhead access to the screw 96.

By the arrangement thus provided for the backing roller 36, sufficient biasing is had that upon the printing roller segment 67 engaging the web 22, its engagement with the backing roller 36, via the web, is frictionally suflicient to move the web 22 and rotate the roller 36. The floating capability of the roller 36 is such that irrespective of what is being imprinted, a full and position engagement of the master negative 34 with the web blanks 26 is obtained. Therefore, as the printing roller 33 is rotated in the counter clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9, the web 22 is pulled along the table 49, beneath the moistening unit 39, and off the roll 21. A weight 98 (FIG. 7) suspended on the end of a strap 99 laid over the roll 21, the

strap afiixed to a transverse frame rod 101 aids-in maintaining the roll 21 tightly packed.

The printing roller 33 is rotatable by means of the handle 37 (FIG. 6), which is secured to one outer end 193 of the shaft 66, with the other outer end 104 exposed beyond the frame side 44 through which it extends. It is to be noted that rotation of the printing roller 33 could be by motorized means as compared to the manually rotatable handle. To prevent the handle 37 from being rotated in the wrong direction, whereby the web 22 would be moved rearwardly on the frame 32, rather than forwardly, the following structure is provided. A peripheral, segmental notch 106 (FIG. 2) is formed in the shaft end 104, and is engageable by a spring leaf 107 secured at its other end to a mounting block 188 secured in turn to the outer surface of the frame side 44. Thus, the handle 37 may be rotated in a manner to rotate the printing roller shaft 66 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 3, wherein the spring leaf 107 slides over the notch 196. To rotate the shaft 66 counterclockwise, however, would rotate the shoulder of the notch 106 against the spring leaf 107, which rotation would then be stopped by the immobility of the leaf 107 due to its tangential arrangement.

To transmit the rotation of the handle 37, as the prime source of power, to the moistening unit 39 (FIG. 1), the parallel linkage unit 38 is provided. This unit 39 includes a cam 111 mounted on the handle shaft 66 (FIG. 2) to one side of the printing roller 33. The earn 111 is operably engageable with a small roller 112 (FIG. 1) rotatably attached to the upper end of a link 113, the latter pivotally connected to the side 46. At the lower end of the link 113, an elongated strap 114 (see FIG. 8) is pivotally connected and extends longitudinally of and parallel the side 46 rearwardly of the pivotal connection. The strap 114 is pivotally connected at 116 (FIG. 1) to a rear link 117 extended upwardly and rearwardly therefrom somewhat parallel to the forward link 113.

The rear link 117 is pivotally attached to a shaft 118 extended transversely between and connected to the sides 44 and 46. At the other end of the shaft 118 another but shorter link 119 (FIG. 2) is pivotally connected at its lower end, from which it extends upwardly and rearwardly parallel to the longer rear link 117 (see FIG. 8). The rear links 117 and 119 are interconnected adjacent their upper ends by a transversely extended rod 121.

To bias the entire linkage unit 38 to the FIG. 1 position where the smaller roller 112 is maintained engaged with the surface of the cam 111, 'a spring 122 is interconnected between the long rear link 117, above the pivot shaft 118, and the rear of the frame at 123. The FIGS. 1 and 13, full line position of the linkage unit 38, and also of the moistening unit 39, is the normal position of these parts when the printing roller 33 is in the normal, non-printing position of FIGS. 7 and 8.

As best illustrated in FIG. 13, upon rotation of the handle 37, shaft 66, and cam 111 to the dotted line position thereof, the linkage unit 38 is also moved to the dotted line position thereof. It will be noted that the upper end of the long rear link 117, and of course the short rear link 119, moves forwardly of the frame 32 and then rearwardly for each 360 rotation of the cam 111 and of the handle 37. The import of this will be seen hereinafter.

The moistening unit 39 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is carried by the linkage unit '38, specifically the rear links 117 and 119, for sequential movement from a non-actuated position (FIG. 1) where the unit does not engage the web 22, to either one of two actuated positions. One of the actuated positions is best shown in FIG. 8, where the moistening unit 39 is moved forwardly over and against the web 22 to its most extended position in response alone to manual manipulation of the linkage unit 38. This position of certain parts of the linkage unit 38 is shown by phantom lines in FIG. 13.

The other actuated position of the moistening unit 39 is best shown in FIG. 9. Here, in response to rotation of 6 the handle 37 and operation of the linkage unit 38 via the cam 111 (see dotted line positions of FIG. 13), the unit 39 is moved slightly forwardly of the frame 32 and against the web 22. In both actuated positions of the moistening unit 39, a solvent from a pump indicated generally at 126 in FIG. 3 is applied to the web 22.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 10 and 11, the moistening unit 39 includes a U-shaped holder 127, a solvent holding tank 128, a wick 129 of felt or the like supported in the tank 128, and a wetting roller 131 rotatably mounted across the front of the holder 127.

The holder 127 is rockably connected by a pivot rod 132 (FIG. 1) to the rear links 117 and 119, and has its front roller 131 biased downwardly, or clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1, by a spring 133 (FIG. 2). The spring is connected between the rear of the holder 127 and the rod 121 extended between the links 117 and 119.

The tank 128 includes a pair of rearwardly extended ears 136 through which the rod 132 extends, and includes a forward pair of ears 137 having apertures 138 formed therein through which a shaft 139 extends.

The shaft 139 also extend through a pair of vertically elongated, transversely aligned slots 141 '(FIG. 11) formed in the holder 127, and with the shaft 139 secured in the slots 141 against lateral movement by a pair of snap rings 142. By the provision of the slots 141 the tank 128 is rockable about the rod 132, its forward edge being movable within the slots 141.

Nested within the tank 128, and disposed across a forward lip 143 thereof is the wick 129. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the wick includes a U-shaped portion 144 and a tongue portion 146 extended forwardly (FIG. 7) over the wetting roller 131. A clamp plate 147 (FIG. 11) secures the wick 129 to the tank 128. Should the tank 128 be freely mounted within the holder 127, the shaft 139 would rest at the bottom of the slots 141 (FIG. 10), with the wick tongue '146 resting on and engaging the wetting roller 131 (FIG. 9). The moistening unit 39 is completed by the provision of a plunger 166 for the solventcontaining pump 126, and a conduit 167 extended from the plun er 166 to the interior of the tank 128. Thus, solvent can be readily hand pumped to the tank 128, and the quantity of solvent contained within the tank 128 is readily discernible to the naked eye from above the machine 20.

In the normal, non-actuated position of the linkage and moistening units 38 and 39, respectively, as best shown in FIG. 7, the wetting roller 131 is spaced slightly above and out of contact with the web 22, and the wick tongue 146 is spaced slightly above and out of contact with the roller 131. Thus, in this position of the components, solvent within the tank 128 is not applied to the wetting roller 131, and no solvent drips from the roller 131 onto the web 22.

This raised and separately spaced position of the wick tongue 146 and roller 131 is accomplished by the provision of a stationary finger 148 (FIG. 7) secured to the rod 101 and engageable with the rear of the tank 128. Thus, as the links 117 and 119 pivot rearwardly to their normal, non-actuated full-line position best shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, the back or rear of the tank 128 engages the finger 1 18 prior to the full movement of the links 117 and 119.

The tank 128 is therefore rotated counterclockwise about its rod 132 within the holder, as viewed in FIG. 7, to first separate the wick tongue 146 from the wetting roiler 131. Then, with the links 117 and 119 still pivoting to their final positions of FIG. 7, as the tank rod 139 (FIG. 10) reaches the top of the slots 141, the movement of the tank 128 is transmitted to the holder 127, and the holder and tank as a unit are rotated counterclockwise about the rod 132 (FIG. 7) to raise the wetting roller 131 above and off the web 22. This condition 7 of the holder 127, of course, is against the bias of the spring 133 which continually tends to force the holder 127, and thus the tank 128 by gravity, clockwise as viewed in FIG. 7 about the rod 132 so that the wetting roller 131 engages the web 22, and with the wick tongue 146 engaging the roller 1-31.

It can therefore be readily appreciated that immediately u-pon movement of the linkage unit 38 from its rearmost position (full lines in FIG. 13) toward an actuated position, as the moistening unit 39 and particularly the tank 128 move away from the finger 148 (FIG. 7FIG. 9), first the holder 127 would rotate in a clockwise direction (FIG. 7) due to the spring bias until the roller 131 engaged the web 22. Then the tank 128 would fall down by gravity within the slots 141 until the wick tongue 146 engaged the roller 131. The application of these movements will be seen hereinafter.

As mentioned 'hereinbefore, when the printing roller 33 is rotating, the web 22 is not engaged and moved thereby except when the master-negative holding segment 67 (FIG. 9) is being rotated past the backing roller 36. To aid in maintaining the web 22 stationary, except when desirable to be movable, and more importantly to maintain a proper indexing of the Web blanks 26 relative to the negative 34, the web locking unit 41 is provided.

This unit 41 is clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, and includes a rocker arm 151 extended adjacent and parallel the inner surface of the frame side 44, and pivotally connected thereto by a pivot 152. Forwardly of the pivot 152, the rocker arm 151 carries a smaller roller 153 (FIG. 12) rotatably mounted thereon. The roller 153 is biased into engagement with a cam 154 mounted on the handle shaft 66, the biasing being provided by a spring 156 connected between the rear end 157 of the rocker arm 151 and a pin 158 in the frame side 44.

To engage each longitudinally spaced perforation 23 (FIG. 12), a locking pin 159 is formed on the undersides of the rocker arm rear end 157. Thus, when the rear end 157 is biased downwardly against the table 49, the pin 159 passes through a web edge perforation 23, and a hole 161 formed in the table 49 there-beneath. Upon, however, a segment 162 of the cam 154 engaging the roller 153, the roller 153, the rocker arm 151 is biased clockwise (FIG. 12) about its pivot 152, thus raising the locking pin 159 out of its hole 161 and the web perforation 23. The web 22 is thereby released for engagement and move-. ment by the printing roller 33. Then, as the cam segment 162 leaves the roller 153, the spring 156 acts to pivot the rocker arm back to the full line position of FIG. 12, wherein the locking pin 159 engages the next successive web perforation 23, and thereby indexes the web 22.

In operating the machine 20, it is to be assumed that the pump 126 has been actuated to fill the tank 128 (FIG. 1), that the linkage unit 38 is in its non-actuated position of FIGS. 1 and 7, held therein by the spring 122, that the printing roller 33 and the handle 37 are in their normal, non-actuated positions of FIGS. 1 and 7, and that a lead portion 164 (FIG. 7) of the web 22 has been trained beneath the idler spindle 56, over the table 49 and between the printing roller 33 and the backing roller 36, with the locking pin 159 inserted through a web perforation 23. Furthermore, a master negative 34 has been clamped in place against the printing roller segment 67.

The longer rear link 117 is then manually pivoted forwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 8. This manipulation causes the entire linkage unit 38 to move, as indicated by phantom lines in FIG. 13, but in no way aflects the remainder of the machine 20 except for the moistening unit 39. As described hereinbefore, the wick tongue 146 and wetting roller 131 almost immediately engage each other with the latter applying the solvent to the web blank 26or blanks as the case may be, disposed between and below the roller 131 at its normal, non-actuated station of FIG. 7, and the station of the printing roller 33.

Referring to FIG. 8, the wetting roller 131 is shown at its forward-most wetting position as actuated by manual manipulation of the linkage unit 38. It will be noted in FIG. 8 that the printing roller 33 has not moved, and that the web locking unit 41 is holding the web 22 stationary. Upon a release of the linkage unit, the unit 38 and the moistening unit 39 are spring returned to their FIG. 7 position.

The handle 37 is then rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 1. Responsive to this rotataion, the cam 111 is operable to actuate the linkage unit 38 to the FIG. 9 position where the Wetting roller 131 is slightly advanced and lowered onto the web 22, and the web 22 is subsequently and substantially simultaneously pulled therebelow, being wetted thereby with solvent, thus obviating the manual manipulation of the linkage unit 38 until and unless the Web 22 remains stationary long enough for the solvent on the Web 22 to dry before used.

Responsive also to the rotation of the handle 37, the printing roller 33 is rotated as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9. With this rotation of the shaft 66, the locking unit cam 154 actuates the rocker arm 151 to release the web 22. Thus, when the master negative on the printing roller 33 engages the web blank 26, as the segment 67 rotates against the backing roller 36, an impression is made on one blank 26, and that blank is moved longitudinally of the machine 20 to a position to the right of the rollers 33 and 36 as viewed in FIG. 9. By this arrangement, of course, every printed blank is in a position to be removed from the web 22, utilizing the tear line 24 (FIG. 14).

As the handle 37 completes its single revolution, during which movement of the web 22, the wetting roller 131 is continually applying solvent to the blank being pulled therebeneath, and as the printing roller 33 then disengages from the Web 22, the respective cams 111 and 154 coact to cause the linkage unit 38 and moistening unit 39 to return to their non-actuated, separated FIG. 7 position, and the web locking unit 41 to return to its engaged position (FIG. l2full lines). Another rotation of the handle 37 results in another printing of a blank 26, and so on. It will be remembered, that the manual manipulation of the linkage unit 38 alone is necessary only when the machine has stood unused or where the web blanks immediately prior to printing are dry for any reason.

Although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed herein, it is to be remembered that various alterations and modifications can be made thereto Without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A machine for printing indicia impressions from a master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous to and biased toward said roller, and between which the web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the web longitudinally of said backing means, the Web stationary during non-contact with said roller portion;

means movably connected to said frame for moistening the web with a solvent, said moistening means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to engage and moisten the Web during contact thereof by said roller portion, and to disengage from the web during non-contact thereof by said roller portion; and

means for moving said moistening means longitudinally of the web during non-rotation of said printing roller, to moisten at least one copy blank, said one copy blank located intermediate said moistening means, prior to the longitudinal movement thereof, and said printing roller.

2. A machine for printing indicia impressions from a master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous to and biased toward said roller, and between which the web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the Web longitudinally of said backing means, the web stationary during non-contact with said roller portion;

means engageable with the web for moistening same with a solvent; and

linkage means pivotally connected to said frame and operably connected to and extended between said rotation effecting means and said moistening means, said linkage means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to move said moistening means into engagement with the web during movement of the web, and to disengage said moistening means from the web when the web is stationary;

said linkage means movable during non-rotation of said printing roller to move said moistening means longitudinally of and against the web to moisten at least one copy blank, said one copy blank located intermediate said moistening means, prior to the longitudinal movement thereof, and said printing roller 3. A machine for printing indicia impressions from a master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous to and biased toward said roller, and between which the web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the web longitudinally of said backing means, the web stationary during noncontact with said roller portion;

means for moistening the web; and

linkage means pivotally connected to said frame and operable to cause said moistening means to moisten at least one copy blank while the web is stationary;

said linkage means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to cause said moistening means to moisten the web during movement of the web.

4. A machine for printing indicia impressions from a master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous-to and biased toward said roller, and between which the web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the web longitudinally of said backing means, the web stationary during non-contact with said roller portion;

means engageable with the web for moistening same with a solvent, said moistening means including a wetting roll adapted to engage the web and a solvent supplying wick engageable with said wetting roll;

linkage means pivotally connected to said frame and operably connected to and extended between said rotation effecting means and said moistening means, said linkage means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to move said moistening means into engagement with the web during movement of the web, and to disengage said moistening means from the web when the web is stationary; and

means operatively engageable with said moistening means, during disengagement thereof from the web, to separate said wetting roll from said wick.

5. A machine for printing indicia impressions from a master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous to and biased toward said roller, and between which the web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the web longitudinally of said backing means, the web stationary during non-contact with said roller portion; means engageable with the web for moistening a portion thereof with a solvent, said moistening means including a bracket including a wetting roll rotatably mounted thereon and engageable with the web, including further a tank movably mounted on the bracket, and within which is secured a wick adapted to receive and apply a solvent to said Wetting roll; linkage means pivotally connected to said frame and operably connected to and extended between said rotation effecting means and said moistening means, said linkage means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to move said moistening means into engagement with the web during movement of the web, and to disengage said moistening means from the Web when the web is stationary; and

lift means engageable with said tank when the web is stationary for moving said tank relative to said bracket to separate said wick from said wetting roll,

master duplication sheet bearing indicia composed of a reproduction medium onto a continuous Web of longitudinally spaced copy blanks, the machine comprising in combination:

a frame;

a printing roller rotatably mounted on said frame and having a transverse, continuous circumferential portion adapted to clampingly receive a duplication sheet, the remaining circumferential area of said printing roller having a radius reduced from that of said roller portion;

backing means secured to said frame contiguous to and biased toward said roller, and between which the Web is longitudinally movable;

means attached to said frame for effecting rotation of said printing roller whereby said roller portion printingly rotates against a copy blank and moves the web longitudinally of said backing means, the web stationary during non-contact with said roller portion;

means movably connected to said frame for moistening the web with a solvent, said moistening means operable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means to engage and moisten the web during contact thereof by said roller portion, and to disengage from the web during non-contact thereof by said roller portion;

means including a pin movable in response to actuation of said rotation effecting means for engaging a perforation with said pin to positively maintain the web against movement only during rotation of said reduced radius area of said printing roller over the web; and

means for moving said moistening means longitudinally of the web during non-rotation of said printing roller,

to moisten at least one copy blank, said one copy blank located intermediate said moistening means, prior to the longitudinal movement thereof, and said printing roller.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 265,101 9/1882 Keller 101228 619,209 2/1899 Nathan 101-228 2,039,236 4/1936 Meisel 101--228 2,787,211 4/1957 Brown 101132.5 2,820,408 1/1958 Williams 101132.5 3,068,786 12/1962 Keil 101-1325 3,138,092 6/1964 Block 101-132.5 X

WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Examiner.

H. P. EWELL, Assistant Examiner. 

3. A MACHINE FOR PRINTING INDICIA IMPRESSIONS FROM A MASTER DUPLICATION SHEET BEARING INDICIA COMPOSED OF A REPRODUCTION MEDIUM ONTO A CONTINUOUS WEB OF LONGITUDINALLY SPACED COPY BLANKS, THE MACHINE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION: A FRAME; A PRINTING ROLLER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME AND HAVING A TRANSVERSE, CONTINUOUS CIRCUMFERENTIAL PORTION ADAPTED TO CLAMPINGLY RECEIVE A DUPLICATION SHEET, THE REMAINING CIRCUMFERENTIAL AREA OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER HAVING A RADIUS REDUCED FROM THAT OF SAID ROLLER PORTION; BACKING MEANS SECURED TO SAID FRAME CONTIGUOUS TO AND BIASED TOWARD SAID ROLLER, AND BETWEEN WHICH THE WEB IS LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE; MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID FRAME FOR EFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID PRINTING ROLLER WHEREBY SAID ROLLER PORTION PRINTINGLY ROTATES AGAINST A COPY BLANK AND MOVES THE WEB LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID BACKING MEANS, THE WEB STATIONARY DURING NON-CONTACT WITH SAID ROLLER PORTION; MEANS FOR MOISTENING THE WEB; AND LINKAGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID FRAME AND OPERABLE TO CAUSE SAID MOISTENING MEANS TO MOISTEN AT LEAST ONE COPY BLANK WHILE THE WEB IS STATIONARY; SAID LINKAGE MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO ACTUATION OF SAID ROTATION EFFECTING MEANS TO CAUSE SAID MOISTENING MEANS TO MOISTEN THE WEB DURING MOVEMENT OF THE WEB. 